Devices, systems, and methods for providing and using a pump control module in a master controller in an assembly line grow pod

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems, and methods for providing and operating a pump control module and one or more pumps in an assembly line grow pod are provided herein. Some embodiments include the assembly line grow pod having one or more pumps, a master controller with a plurality of bays and being communicatively coupled to the pumps, and a pump control module within one of the bays such that the pump control module is communicatively coupled to the master controller and the pumps. The pump control module is programmed to receive information regarding fluid within the assembly line grow pod, determine one or more control signals necessary to provide or pressurize the fluid, and provide the one or more control signals to the one or more pumps.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/519,428, filed on Jun. 14, 2017; U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 62/519,430, filed on Jun. 14, 2017; and U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/519,419, filed on Jun. 14, 2017, which areincorporated by reference in their respective entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods forcontrolling one or more components of an assembly line grow pod and,more specifically, to use of a pump control module in a modular controlinterface to control pumps in an assembly line grow pod.

BACKGROUND

Industrial grow pods that are used to continuously grow crops mayutilize an assembly line of carts that continuously traverse a track asplant seeds are planted, grown, and harvested, and then continue totraverse the track as the carts (and/or trays thereon) are cleaned andwashed to repeat the process. To ensure smooth operation of theindustrial grow pod, it may be desirable to ensure that control modulesin the industrial grow pod are continuously receiving information anddata from various components of the grow pod and continuously provideinstructions to various components accordingly, even in instances wherecertain control modules may be removed for repair, reprogramming,redeployment, and/or the like. Some control modules may be particularlyadapted to control certain devices in the industrial grow pod.

SUMMARY

Devices, systems, and methods for providing and using a pump controlmodule are disclosed. One embodiment includes an assembly line grow podhaving one or more pumps, a master controller comprising a plurality ofbays, the master controller communicatively coupled to the one or morepumps, and a pump control module received within a first bay of theplurality of bays of the master controller such that the pump controlmodule is communicatively coupled to the master controller and the oneor more pumps. The pump control module is programmed to receiveinformation regarding fluid within the assembly line grow pod, determineone or more control signals necessary to provide or pressurize thefluid, and provide the one or more control signals to the one or morepumps.

In another embodiment, a master controller in an assembly line grow podincludes a plurality of bays, each one of the plurality of bays having abay I/O port that is communicatively coupled to one or more pumps in theassembly line grow pod and a pump control module received within a firstbay of the plurality of bays of the master controller. The pump controlmodule includes an I/O port communicatively coupled to the bay I/O port,a processing device, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storagemedium having one or more programming instructions stored thereon. Theone or more programming instructions, when executed, cause theprocessing device to receive an input, determine an action to becompleted based on the input, where the action comprises operation ofthe one or more pumps in the assembly line grow pod, and transmit aninstruction to the one or more pumps, the instruction directing theoperation of the one or more pumps.

In yet another embodiment, a pump control module includes a processingdevice and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium havingone or more programming instructions stored thereon. The programminginstructions, when executed, cause the processing device to receive aninput, determine an action to be completed based on the input, where theaction comprises operation of one or more pumps in an assembly line growpod, the one or more pumps communicatively coupled to the pump controlmodule, and transmit an instruction to the one or more pumps, theinstruction directing the operation of the one or more pumps in theassembly line grow pod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplaryin nature and not intended to limit the disclosure. The followingdetailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understoodwhen read in conjunction with the following drawings, where likestructure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1A schematically depicts a front perspective view of anillustrative assembly line grow pod having a master controller accordingto one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 1B schematically depicts a rear perspective view of a portion of anillustrative assembly line grow pod having a master controller accordingto one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a front perspective view of an illustrativeassembly line grow pod having a master controller with portions of atrack removed for purposes of illustrating additional components of theassembly line grow pod according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a pump control module communicativelycoupled to a pump in an assembly line grow pod network according to oneor more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative computing environment within a pumpcontrol module according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 5 schematically depicts an illustrative modular control interfaceof a master controller that receives a pump control module according toone or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6 schematically depicts an illustrative master controller holding aplurality of illustrative control modules according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 7 schematically depicts an illustrative master controller holding aplurality of illustrative control modules and having a plurality ofempty bays according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative method of providing apump control module for a modular control interface and providing one ormore pumps according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein; and

FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative method of operating oneor more pumps in an assembly line grow pod with a pump control module ina master controller according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods forproviding and operating a pump control module in a modular controlinterface of a master controller that controls various fluid pumpcomponents of an assembly line grow pod. The assembly line grow pod maybe configured with an assembly line of trays holding seeds and/or plantsthat follow a track. The assembly line grow pod may further includevarious components that provide water, nutrients, ambient airconditions, and/or the like to ensure optimum growth of the seeds and/orplants as the trays traverse the track. Such components may includefluid pumps that pump the water, nutrients, ambient air conditions,and/or the like to various areas of the assembly line grow pod. Thesecomponents of the assembly line grow pod are controlled by a mastercontroller.

Specific control of such components may be performed by one or morehot-swappable modules (e.g., a hot swappable pump control module) thatare inserted in a modular control interface of the master controller. Inorder for the various modules to be hot swappable, the devices, systemsand methods described herein are utilized to ensure uninterruptedfunctioning of the assembly line grow pod when particular modules areremoved from the modular control interface of the master controller. Assuch, the devices, systems, and methods described herein providefunctionality to control at least a portion of the pumps in the assemblyline grow pod to ensure that the assembly line grow pod continues tofunction as particular modules are swapped out. The devices, systems,and methods for providing and using a pump control module in an assemblyline grow pod, as well as an assembly line grow pod incorporating thesame will be described in more detail below.

An illustrative industrial grow pod that allows for the continuous,uninterrupted growing of crops is depicted herein. Particularly, FIG. 1Adepicts a front perspective view of an illustrative assembly line growpod 100 having a master controller according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein. In addition, FIG. 1B depicts a rearperspective view of a portion of the assembly line grow pod 100. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the assembly line grow pod 100 mayinclude a track 102 that holds one or more carts 104. Referringparticularly to FIG. 1A, the track 102 may include at least an ascendingportion 102 a, a descending portion 102 b, and a connection portion 102c. The track 102 may wrap around (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction,as shown in FIG. 1A) a first axis A₁ such that the carts 104 ascendupward in a vertical direction (e.g., in the +y direction of thecoordinate axes of FIG. 1A). The connection portion 102 c may berelatively level (although this is not a requirement) and is utilized totransfer carts 104 to the descending portion 102 b. The descendingportion 102 b may be wrapped around a second axis A₂ (e.g., in acounterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 1A) that is substantiallyparallel to the first axis A₁, such that the carts 104 may be returnedcloser to a ground level.

It should be understood that while the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1Bdepict an assembly line grow pod 100 that wraps around a plurality ofaxes A₁, A₂, this is merely one example. Any configuration of assemblyline or stationary grow pod may be utilized for performing thefunctionality described herein.

Referring to FIG. 1A, supported on each one of the carts 104 is a tray106. The tray 106 may generally contain one or more components forholding seeds as the seeds germinate and grow into plants as the cart104 traverses the ascending portion 102 a, the descending portion 102 b,and the connection portion 102 c of the track 102 of the assembly linegrow pod 100. The seeds may be planted, allowed to grow, and then may beharvested by various components of the assembly line grow pod 100, asdescribed in greater detail herein. In addition, the seeds (andthereafter the shoots and plants) within the trays 106 may be monitored,provided with water, nutrients, environmental conditions, light, and/orthe like to facilitate growing.

Also depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B is a master controller 160. The mastercontroller 160 may include, among other things, control hardware forcontrolling various components of the assembly line grow pod 100, asdescribed in greater detail herein. The master controller 160 may bearranged as a modular control interface that receives a plurality ofhot-swappable control modules, as described in greater detail herein.One module in the master controller 160, which may be fixed orhot-swappable, may be the pump control module, as described in greaterdetail herein.

Coupled to the master controller 160 is a seeder component 108. Theseeder component 108 may be configured to place seeds in the trays 106supported on the one or more carts 104 as the carts 104 pass the seedercomponent 108 in the assembly line. Depending on the particularembodiment, each cart 104 may include a single section tray 106 forreceiving a plurality of seeds. Some embodiments may include a multiplesection tray 106 for receiving individual seeds in each section (orcell). In the embodiments with a single section tray 106, the seedercomponent 108 may detect presence of the respective cart 104 and maybegin laying seed across an area of the single section tray 106. Theseed may be laid out according to a desired depth of seed, a desirednumber of seeds, a desired surface area of seeds, and/or according toother criteria. In some embodiments, the seeds may be pre-treated withnutrients and/or anti-buoyancy agents (such as water) as theseembodiments may not utilize soil to grow the seeds and thus might needto be submerged.

In the embodiments where a multiple section tray 106 is utilized withone or more of the carts 104, the seeder component 108 may be configuredto individually insert seeds into one or more of the sections of thetray 106. Again, the seeds may be distributed on the tray 106 (or intoindividual cells) according to a desired number of seeds, a desired areathe seeds should cover, a desired depth of seeds, etc.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the assembly line grow pod 100 may also include awatering component 109 coupled to one or more water lines 110 via one ormore pumps 150 in some embodiments. While only a single pump 150 isdepicted in FIG. 1A, it should be understood that the assembly line growpod 100 may incorporate a plurality of pumps 150 in some embodiments.The watering component 109, the one or more pumps 150, and the one ormore water lines 110 may distribute water and/or nutrients to one ormore trays 106 at particular areas of the assembly line grow pod 100.

For example, the one or more water lines 110 may extend between thewatering component 109 and one or more watering stations arranged atparticular locations within the assembly line grow pod 100 such that thepumps 150 connected in line with the water lines 110 pump water and/ornutrients to the one or more watering stations. As a cart 104 passes awatering station, a particular amount of water may be provided to thetray 106 supported by the cart 104. For example, seeds may be sprayed ata watering station to reduce buoyancy and then flooded. Additionally,water usage and consumption may be monitored at a watering station anddata may be generated that corresponds to such water usage andconsumption. As such, when the cart 104 reaches a subsequent wateringstation along the track 102 in the assembly line grow pod 100, the datamay be utilized to determine an amount of water to supply to the tray106 at that time.

In addition, the watering component 109 is communicatively coupled tothe master controller 160 (particularly a pump control module therein,as described in greater detail herein) such that the master controller160 provides control signals to the watering component 109 and/orreceives status signals from the watering component 109. As a result ofthis providing and receiving of signals, the master controller 160 caneffectively direct the watering component 109 to provide fluid via oneor more water lines 110 fluidly coupled to the watering component 109.

Also depicted in FIG. 1A are airflow lines 112, which may also beconnected to one or more air pumps (not shown in FIG. 1A). Specifically,the one or more air pumps may be pumps that are similar to pumps 150,but are coupled to the airflow lines 112 to deliver air to one or moreportions of the assembly line grow pod 100. The air may be delivered,for example, to control a temperature of the assembly line grow pod 100or an area thereof, a pressure of the air in the assembly line grow pod100 or an area thereof, control a concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂)in the air of the assembly line grow pod 100 or an area thereof, controla concentration of oxygen in the air of the assembly line grow pod 100or an area thereof, control a concentration of nitrogen in the air ofthe assembly line grow pod 100 or an area thereof, and/or the like.Accordingly, the airflow lines 112 may distribute the airflow atparticular areas in the assembly line grow pod 100 to facilitatecontrol. As such, the airflow lines 112 may be fluidly coupled to a pumpand may further be fluidly coupled between an air source and a targetair delivery area. In addition, sensors may sense characteristics (e.g.,a concentration, a pressure, a temperature, flow velocity, and/or thelike) and may generate data and/or signals corresponding to the sensedcharacteristics, which may be used for further control.

Referring to FIG. 1B, additional components of the assembly line growpod 100 are illustrated, including (but not limited to) one or morelighting devices 206, a harvester component 208, and a sanitizercomponent 210. As described above, the seeder component 108 may beconfigured to seed the trays 106 of the carts 104. Still referring toFIG. 1A, the lighting devices 206 may provide light waves that mayfacilitate plant growth at various locations throughout the assemblyline grow pod 100 as the carts 104 traverse the track 102. Depending onthe particular embodiment, the lighting devices 206 may be stationaryand/or movable. As an example, some embodiments may alter the positionof the lighting devices 206, based on the plant type, stage ofdevelopment, recipe, and/or other factors.

Additionally, as the plants are lighted, watered, and providednutrients, the carts 104 traverse the track 102 of the assembly linegrow pod 100. Additionally, the assembly line grow pod 100 may detect agrowth and/or fruit output of a plant and may determine when harvestingis warranted. If harvesting is warranted prior to the cart 104 reachingthe harvester component 208, modifications to a recipe may be made forthat particular cart 104 until the cart 104 reaches the harvestercomponent 208. Conversely, if a cart 104 reaches the harvester component208 and it has been determined that the plants in that cart 104 are notready for harvesting, the assembly line grow pod 100 may commission thatcart 104 for another lap. This additional lap may include a differentdosing of light, water, nutrients, etc. and the speed of the cart 104could change, based on the development of the plants on the cart 104. Ifit is determined that the plants on a cart 104 are ready for harvesting,the harvester component 208 may harvest the plants from the trays 106.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the harvester component 208 may cut the plants ata particular height for harvesting in some embodiments. In someembodiments, the tray 106 may be overturned to remove the plants fromthe tray 106 and into a processing container for chopping, mashing,juicing, and/or the like. Because many embodiments of the assembly linegrow pod 100 do not use soil, minimal (or no) washing of the plants maybe necessary prior to processing.

Similarly, some embodiments may be configured to automatically separatefruit from the plant, such as via shaking, combing, etc. If theremaining plant material may be reused to grow additional fruit, thecart 104 may keep the remaining plant and return to the growing portionof the assembly line. If the plant material is not to be reused to growadditional fruit, it may be discarded or processed, as appropriate.

Once the cart 104 and tray 106 are clear of plant material, thesanitizer component 210 may remove any particulate matter, plantmaterial, and/or the like that may remain on the cart 104. As such, thesanitizer component 210 may implement any of a plurality of differentwashing mechanisms, such as high pressure water, high temperature water,and/or other solutions for cleaning the cart 104 and/or the tray 106. Assuch, the sanitizer component 210 may be fluidly coupled to one or moreof the water lines 110 to receive water that is pumped via the one ormore pumps 150 through the water lines.

In some embodiments, the tray 106 may be overturned to output the plantfor processing and the tray 106 may remain in this position. As such,the sanitizer component 210 may receive the tray 106 in this position,which may wash the cart 104 and/or the tray 106 and return the tray 106back to the growing position. Once the cart 104 and/or tray 106 arecleaned, the tray 106 may again pass the seeder component 108, which maydetermine that the tray 106 requires seeding and may begin the processplacing seeds in the tray 106, as described herein.

It should be understood that the assembly line grow pod 100 may includeadditional components not specifically described herein, and the presentdisclosure is not limited solely to the components described herein.Illustrative additional components may include, but are not limited to,other watering components, other lighting components, other airflowcomponents, growth monitoring components, other harvesting components,other washing and/or sanitizing components, and/or the like.

Control of the various components described hereinabove, as well ascomponents of the assembly line grow pod 100 not specifically describedherein, may be completed by a plurality of control modules within themaster controller 160. Each control module within the master controller160 may be particularly configured to control a single component, aplurality of components, portions of one or more components, and/or thelike. For example, a pump control module may control one or more pumpsthat pump water, nutrients, ambient air, and/or the like, such as theone or more pumps 150.

In some embodiments, control of various components of the assembly linegrow pod 100 may be managed by a plurality of control modules such thatif a particular control module is removed from the master controller 160(e.g., a pump control module), the remaining control modules within themaster controller 160 can still control various functions of theassembly line grow pod 100 (e.g., pumping functions of the one or morepumps 150) so as to avoid an instance where the entire assembly linegrow pod 100 (or a portion of the assembly line grow pod 100) has to beshut down while a control module is removed, replaced, repaired, or thelike. To ensure that the assembly line grow pod 100 continues to runeven as a particular control module is removed from the mastercontroller 160, the master controller 160 may include a control modulethat acts as an intermediary module, sending and receiving signals fromthe various components of the assembly line grow pod 100 and relayingsuch signals between the appropriate control module(s) within the mastercontroller 160. In some embodiments, the control module may includecomputer hardware and software components that utilize scriptinglanguage to translate recipes and other instructions that are receivedinto binary signals that can be transmitted to the other control modulesincluded within the master controller 160 (e.g., a pump control module).For example, if a determination is made that a particular tray 106 is tobe watered by a watering device (e.g., a fluid distribution manifold)and that the tray 106 is passing in a particular period of time, thecontrol module may determine what components (e.g., pumps) are needed,prepare binary signals, and relay the binary signals to the variousother control modules that control watering at the time at whichwatering is necessary (e.g., a pump control module). Other particulardetails regarding the functionality of the various control modules arediscussed herein.

While the present disclosure generally relates to a hot swappable orremovably insertable control module and/or a hot swappable or removablyinsertable pump control module, the present disclosure is not restrictedto such. In some embodiments, the control module and/or the pump controlmodule may be fixed within the master controller 160 such that they arenot removably insertable or hot swappable like the various othermodules. As such, the control module and/or the pump control module mayalways be available to function within the master controller 160 asdescribed herein.

In addition to the various components described hereinabove with respectto FIGS. 1A and 1B, the assembly line grow pod may further includeadditional components that are specifically related to storing fluid,moving fluid, distributing fluid, pressurizing fluid, combining fluids,and/or the like. For example, FIG. 2 schematically depicts a frontperspective view of an illustrative assembly line grow pod having amaster controller with portions of a track removed for purposes ofillustrating additional components of the assembly line grow pod. Morespecifically, FIG. 2 depicts a plurality of fluid holding tanks 209. Thefluid holding tanks 209 may generally be storage tanks that are adaptedto hold various fluids, including water, water and nutrientcombinations, nutrients, gasses (including oxygen, carbon dioxide,nitrogen, and/or the like). In some embodiments, the fluid holding tanks209 may be fluidly coupled to one or more of the water lines 110, theone or more pumps 150, the watering component 109, and/or the one ormore airflow lines 112 (FIG. 1A) to supply the fluid contained thereinto various portions of the assembly line grow pod via the one or morewater lines 110 and/or the one or more airflow lines 112 (FIG. 1A) whenother components control fluid flow (e.g., the one or more pumps 150and/or the watering component 109). Still referring to FIG. 2, the fluidholding tanks 209 are otherwise not limited by the present disclosure,and may have any other features or characteristics without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure.

As described above, the master controller 160 may direct the wateringcomponent 109 to provide various fluids to the trays 106 of the carts104 and/or provide airflow to the assembly line grow pod 100 or portionsthereof. More specifically, the watering component 109 may contain or befluidly coupled to one or more pumps 150 that pump the various fluids toparticular areas within the assembly line grow pod from the one or morefluid holding tanks 209.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a pump control module 300 communicativelycoupled to a pump 150 in an assembly line grow pod communicationsnetwork 350 according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, thepump control module 300 may be communicatively coupled to the pump 150via the communications network 350. The communications network 350 mayinclude the internet or other wide area network, a local network, suchas a local area network, or a near field network, such as Bluetooth or anear field communication (NFC) network. In other embodiments, instead ofbeing connected via the communications network 350, the pump controlmodule 300 may be directly connected to the pump 150 for the purposes ofcommunications.

In some embodiments, communications between the pump control module 300and the pump 150 may be such that the pump control module 300 providestransmissions, such as data and signals, to the pump 150 for thepurposes of directing operation of the pump 150. That is, the pumpcontrol module 300 may direct the pump 150 when to pump fluid, when tostop pumping fluid, how much fluid to pump, a rate at which the fluidshould be pumped, the direction of fluid pumping, and/or the like. Inother embodiments, communications between the pump control module 300and the pump 150 may be such that the pump control module 300 receivesfeedback from the pump 150. That is, the pump control module 300 mayreceive data, signals, or the like that are indicative of pumpoperation, including whether the pump 150 is operating correctly orincorrectly, start/stop logs, capacity and rate logs, whether any errorshave been detected, a location of the pump 150 within the assembly linegrow pod (FIG. 1A) and/or the like. Still referring to FIG. 3, the pumpcontrol module 300 may utilize this feedback to make adjustments to thepump 150, to direct other pumps 150 to pump, to communicate with otherportions of the master controller 160 (FIG. 1A), and/or the like toensure that the assembly line grow pod 100 (FIG. 1A) continues to run inan appropriate manner.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the pump control module 300 may generallyinclude a housing 302 supported on a base 306. The base 306 may supportthe housing 302 within the master controller 160 (FIG. 1B), as describedin greater detail herein. Still referring to FIG. 3, the housing 302 ofthe pump control module may include a plurality of walls, such as, forexample, a first side wall 302 a, a second side wall 302 b, and a thirdside wall 302 c. The first side wall 302 a, the second side wall 302 b,and the third side wall 302 c may extend from the base 306 and at leastpartially define a cavity that contains various internal components ofthe pump control module 300, as described in greater detail herein.

In various embodiments, the pump control module 300 may further includean I/O port 308 within the housing 302. The I/O port 308 may have a body310 that extends from the housing 302 (e.g., from the third side wall302 c of the housing 302) and allows the various internal hardwarecomponents of the pump control module 300 to be coupled to externalcomponents, such as, for example, various components of the assemblyline grow pod 100 (FIG. 1A), including (but not limited to) the mastercontroller 160 (FIG. 1B). Still referring to FIG. 3, the body 310 of theI/O port 308 may be shaped, sized, and configured to couple to acorresponding bay I/O port to facilitate communicative coupling betweenthe pump control module 300 and the various components of the assemblyline grow pod 100 (FIG. 1A), including (but not limited to) the mastercontroller 160 and the pump 150. For example, the body 310 of the I/Oport 308 may have a shape that corresponds to a receptacle in a bay I/Oport such that the body 310 can be inserted within a bay I/O port, asdescribed in greater detail herein. Still referring to FIG. 3, the I/Oport 308 may be a communications port or the like that containscircuitry and/or other mechanical coupling components that allow varioushardware components within the pump control module 300 to communicatewith one or more other control modules and/or one or more of the variouscomponents of the assembly line grow pod 100 (FIG. 1A) via the mastercontroller 160 (FIG. 1B) (e.g., the pump 150), as described in greaterdetail herein.

In various embodiments, the pump control module 300 may further includeone or more features for securing the pump control module 300 to anotherobject, such as, for example, a bay in the master controller 160 (FIG.1B). For example, the base 306 of the pump control module 300 may extenda distance beyond the various side walls of the housing 302 (e.g.,extend beyond the first side wall 302 a and the second side wall 302 bin the +x/−x directions of the coordinate axes of FIG. 3) to define aplurality of flanges 304 that are insertable into a support mechanism orthe like, as described in greater detail herein. The flanges 304 mayinclude one or more structures for securing the base 306 of the pumpcontrol module 300. For example, the flanges 304 may include a pluralityof apertures 307 therethrough, as shown in FIG. 3. The plurality ofapertures 307 may receive a retention device, such as a screw, a bolt, aclip, and/or the like to secure the base 306, as described in greaterdetail herein. It should be understood that the apertures 307 are merelyan illustrative example of one type of feature that may be used tosecure the base 306, and the present disclosure is not limited to such.That is, other securing features are also contemplated and includedwithin the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be understoodthat the apertures 307 are optional components, and the base 306 may besecured by other means or may not be secured at all in some embodiments.

The various internal components of the pump control module 300 mayproduce heat as a byproduct of operation. As such, the pump controlmodule 300 may incorporate one or more cooling features therein todissipate the heat generated by the internal components thereof in someembodiments. For example, the housing 302 of the pump control module 300may include one or more heat dissipating fins 312 disposed thereon insome embodiments. That is, the first side wall 302 a and/or the secondside wall 302 b may each include the heat dissipating fins 312. Otherfeatures for dissipating heat may also be used in addition to (or as analternative to) the heat dissipating fins 312.

The various internal components of the pump control module 300 maygenerally provide the functionality of the pump control module 300, asdescribed herein. That is, the internal components of the pump controlmodule 300 may be a computing environment. Additional details regardingthe internal components of the pump control module 300 are discussedherein with respect to FIG. 4.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the pump 150 may generally include a housing366 holding a plurality of hardware components that allow the pump 150to communicate with the pump control module 300. The pump 150 mayinclude a pumping mechanism 360 that functions to pump fluid from afluid inlet port 364 to a fluid outlet port 362.

The pumping mechanism 360 may generally be any mechanism that is usedfor the purposes of pumping fluid, including a particularly measuredamount of fluid. For example, the pumping mechanism 360 may be apositive displacement pump, a centrifugal pump, or a roto-dynamic pump.Illustrative positive displacement pumps include rotary pumps such asgear pumps, screw pumps, and rotary vane pumps; reciprocating pumps suchas plunger pumps, diaphragm pumps, piston pumps, and radial pistonpumps; and linear pumps such as rope pumps and chain pumps. Otherspecific examples of pumps that may be used for the pumping mechanism360 include, but are not limited to, progressing cavity pumps,roots-type pumps, impulse pumps, hydraulic ram pumps, radial flow pumps,axial flow pumps, mixed flow pumps, eductor jet pumps, gravity pumps,and valveless pumps. The particular type of pumping mechanism may bedependent on the type of fluid that is being pumped (e.g., air, water,nutrients, etc.), the average amount of fluid that is pumped, whether aconstant flow of fluid is provided or only a measured amount of fluid isprovided, the distance the fluid has to travel, and/or the like.

Control of the pumping mechanism 360 may be completed by the varioushardware components within the housing 366. That is, the varioushardware components may transmit a start signal, a stop signal, a signalto change pump speed, capacity, pressure of fluid, and/or the like tothe pumping mechanism 360. It should be understood that the hardwarecomponents within the pumping mechanism 360 may be configured tocomplete all of the processes described herein with respect to the pumpcontrol module 300, such that, in the event that the pump control module300 is hot swappable and swapped out of the master controller 160 (FIG.1A), the various components within the housing 366 and/or other pumpcontrol modules located within the master controller 160 (FIG. 1A) canalso be utilized to control the various pumping processes describedherein. Illustrative examples of components that may be included withinthe housing 366 include, but are not limited to, a processing device, amemory, various logic modules, a data storage component, input/outputhardware, network interface hardware, and/or the like. The varioushardware components within the housing 366 may be similar to thehardware components described with respect to the components located inthe pump control module 300 in FIG. 4. As such, the hardware componentswithin the housing 302 are not described in further detail herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 3, both the fluid inlet port 364 and the fluidoutlet port 362 may be fluidly coupled to one or more of the water lines110 or one or more of the airflow lines 112 of the assembly line growpod 100. As such, fluid from the water lines 110 or airflow lines 112coupled to the fluid inlet port 364 may be received by the pumpingmechanism 360 and ejected out of the water lines 110 or airflow lines112 coupled to the fluid outlet port 362. As such, the fluid inlet port364 may generally be fluidly coupled (via the water lines 110 or theairflow lines 112) to a fluid source (e.g., the fluid holding tanks 209depicted in FIG. 1B). In addition, the fluid outlet port 362 may befluidly coupled (via the water lines 110 or the airflow lines 112) to afluid delivery component (e.g., a fluid delivery manifold, an air duct,etc.). It should be understood that the use of the term “inlet” and“outlet” herein is merely illustrative, as the pumping mechanism 360 maybe configured to reverse direction, thereby reversing the direction offluid flow through the fluid inlet port 364 and the fluid outlet port362 in some embodiments.

In operation, the pump 150 may receive one or more signals and/or datafrom the pump control module 300, determine various pump parameters(e.g., flow rate, capacity, pressure of fluid provided, etc.) from thesignals and/or data, and direct the pumping mechanism 360 to operateaccordingly by drawing fluid in via the fluid inlet port 314 and pushingfluid out via the fluid outlet port 316.

While FIG. 3 depicts a single pump control module 300 and a single pump150, this is merely illustrative. For example, a single pump controlmodule 300 may be coupled to a plurality of pumps 150. In anotherexample, a plurality of pump control modules 300 may each be connectedto a plurality of pumps 150. Other combinations of pump control modules300 and pumps 150 are included within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative computing environment within the pumpcontrol module 300 according to one or more embodiments. As illustratedin FIG. 4, the pump control module 300 may include a computing device420. The computing device 420 includes a memory component 440, aprocessor 430, input/output hardware 432, network interface hardware434, and a data storage component 436 (which stores systems data 438 a,plant data 438 b, and/or other data).

At least a portion of the components of the computing device 420 may becommunicatively coupled to a local interface 446. The local interface446 is generally not limited by the present disclosure and may beimplemented as a bus or other communications interface to facilitatecommunication among the components of the pump control module 300coupled thereto.

The memory component 440 may be configured as volatile and/ornonvolatile memory. As such, the memory component 440 may include randomaccess memory (including SRAM, DRAM, and/or other types of RAM), flashmemory, secure digital (SD) memory, registers, compact discs (CD),digital versatile discs (DVD), Blu-Ray discs, and/or other types ofnon-transitory computer-readable mediums. Depending on the particularembodiment, these non-transitory computer-readable mediums may residewithin the pump control module 300 and/or external to the pump controlmodule 300. The memory component 440 may store, for example, operatinglogic 442 a, systems logic 442 b, plant logic 442 c, pumping logic 442d, and/or other logic. The operating logic 442 a, the systems logic 442b, the plant logic 442 c, and pumping logic 442 d may each include aplurality of different pieces of logic, at least a portion of which maybe embodied as a computer program, firmware, and/or hardware, as anexample.

The operating logic 442 a may include an operating system and/or othersoftware for managing components of the pump control module 300. Asdescribed in more detail below, the systems logic 442 b may monitor andcontrol operations of one or more of the various other control modulesand/or one or more components of the assembly line grow pod 100 (FIG.1A). Still referring to FIG. 4, the plant logic 442 c may be configuredto determine and/or receive a recipe for plant growth and may facilitateimplementation of the recipe via the systems logic 442 b and/or thepumping logic 442 d. The pumping logic 442 d may be configured todetermine which ones of a plurality of pumps need to be activated ordeactivated to facilitate fluid movement throughout the assembly linegrow pod 100 (FIG. 1A) according to a recipe and/or a need for fluid ata particular location at a particular time, determine a rate of fluid tobe pumped, determine an amount of fluid to be pumped, determine adirection of fluid to be pumped, transmit signals and/or data to thevarious pumps, and/or the like.

It should be understood that while the various logic modules aredepicted in FIG. 4 as being located within the memory component 440,this is merely an example. For example, the systems logic 442 b, theplant logic 442 c, and the pumping logic 442 d may reside on differentcomputing devices. That is, one or more of the functionalities and/orcomponents described herein may be provided by a user computing device,a remote computing device, and/or another control module that iscommunicatively coupled to the pump control module 300.

Additionally, while the computing device 420 is illustrated with thesystems logic 442 b and the plant logic 442 c as separate logicalcomponents, this is also an example. In some embodiments, a single pieceof logic (and/or or several linked modules) may cause the computingdevice 420 to provide the described functionality.

The processor 430 (which may also be referred to as a processing device)may include any processing component operable to receive and executeinstructions (such as from the data storage component 436 and/or thememory component 440). Illustrative examples of the processor 430include, but are not limited to, a computer processing unit (CPU), amany integrated core (MIC) processing device, an accelerated processingunit (APU), a digital signal processor (DSP). In some embodiments, theprocessor 430 may be a plurality of components that function together toprovide processing capabilities, such as integrated circuits (includingfield programmable gate arrays (FPGA)) and the like.

The input/output hardware 432 may include and/or be configured tointerface with microphones, speakers, a display, and/or other hardware.That is, the input/output hardware 432 may interface with hardware thatprovides a user interface or the like. For example, a user interface maybe provided to a user for the purposes of adjusting settings (e.g., anamount of nutrients/water to be supplied, a type and amount of ambientair conditions to be supplied, etc.), viewing a status (e.g., receivinga notification of an error, a status of a particular pump or othercomponent, etc.), and/or the like.

The network interface hardware 434 may include and/or be configured forcommunicating with any wired or wireless networking hardware, includingan antenna, a modem, LAN port, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) card, WiMaxcard, ZigBee card, Z-Wave card, Bluetooth chip, USB card, mobilecommunications hardware, and/or other hardware for communicating withother networks and/or devices. From this connection, communication maybe facilitated between the pump control module 300 and other componentsof the assembly line grow pod 100 (FIG. 1A), such as, for example, othercontrol modules, the seeder component, the harvesting component, thewatering component, the one or more pumps, and/or the like. In someembodiments, the network interface hardware 434 may also facilitatecommunication between the pump control module 300 and componentsexternal to the assembly line grow pod 100 (FIG. 1A), such as, forexample, user computing devices and/or remote computing devices. Assuch, the network interface hardware 434 may be communicatively coupledto the I/O port 308 of the pump control module 300 (FIG. 3).

Still referring to FIG. 4, the pump control module 300 may be coupled toa network (e.g., the communications network 350 (FIG. 3)) via thenetwork interface hardware 434. As previously described herein, variousother control modules, other computing devices, and/or the like may alsobe coupled to the network. Illustrative other computing devices include,for example, a user computing device and a remote computing device. Theuser computing device may include a personal computer, laptop, mobiledevice, tablet, server, etc. and may be utilized as an interface with auser. As an example, a user may send a recipe to the computing device420 for at least a partial implementation by the pump control module300. Another example may include the pump control module 300 sendingnotifications to a user of the user computing device.

Similarly, the remote computing device may include a server, personalcomputer, tablet, mobile device, etc. and may be utilized for machine tomachine communications. As an example, if the assembly line grow pod 100(FIG. 1A) determines a type of seed being used (and/or otherinformation, such as ambient conditions), the computing device 420 maycommunicate with the remote computing device to retrieve a previouslystored recipe for those conditions. As such, some embodiments mayutilize an application program interface (API) to facilitate this orother computer-to-computer communications.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the data storage component 436 may generallybe any medium that stores digital data, such as, for example, a harddisk drive, a solid state drive (SSD), Optane® memory (IntelCorporation, Santa Clara Calif.), a compact disc (CD), a digitalversatile disc (DVD), a Blu-Ray disc, and/or the like. It should beunderstood that the data storage component 436 may reside local toand/or remote from the pump control module 300 and may be configured tostore one or more pieces of data and selectively provide access to theone or more pieces of data. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the data storagecomponent 436 may store systems data 438 a, plant data 438 b, and/orother data. The systems data 438 a may generally include data relatingto the functionality of the pump control module 300, such as storedsettings, information regarding the location of the pump control module300 and/or other modules within the master controller 160 (FIG. 1B),and/or the like. The plant data 438 b may generally relate to recipesfor plant growth, settings of various components within the assemblyline grow pod 100 (FIG. 1A), data relating to control of the pumps 150(FIG. 1A), sensor data relating to a particular tray or cart, and/or thelike.

It should be understood that while the components in FIG. 4 areillustrated as residing within the pump control module 300, this ismerely an example. In some embodiments, one or more of the componentsmay reside external to the pump control module 300. It should also beunderstood that, while the pump control module 300 is illustrated as asingle device, this is also merely an example. That is, the pump controlmodule 300 may be a plurality of devices that are communicativelycoupled to one another and provide the functionality described herein.

FIG. 5 schematically depicts an illustrative modular control interface500 of a master controller 160 that receives a pump control module 300according to various embodiments. As illustrated, the master controller160 may be configured with a modular control interface 500 that cansupport the pump control module 300 and/or one or more other controlmodules. As such, the master controller 160 may include a plurality ofbays 502 in which the pump control module 300 can be placed. Each bay502 is generally a cavity within a body 501 of the master controller 160that is sized and shaped to receive any control module, including thepump control module 300. In addition, each bay 502 may have the same orsubstantially similar shape and size as the other bays 502 of the mastercontroller 160 such that the pump control module 300 and/or othermodules can be inserted in any bay 502. That is, no bay 502 isparticularly shaped to only accept the pump control module 300 and thereis no bay that cannot accept the pump control module 300.

At least some of the plurality of bays 502 may further include a floor503 and/or a support mechanism 504. The floor 503 may generally be alower surface of each bay 502 that supports the pump control module 300when placed therein. As such, each floor 503 may be part of the body 501of the master controller 160. In some embodiments, the support mechanism504 may be a rail or the like that supports the base 306 of the pumpcontrol module 300 when the pump control module 300 is inserted into arespective bay. In addition, the support mechanism 504 may also act as aguide to ensure that the pump control module 300 is appropriatelyinserted and positioned within the bay 502. For example, as depicted inFIG. 6, at least some of the support mechanisms 504 in each bay 502accepts the corresponding base 306 of the pump control module 300 suchthat the pump control module 300 slides into the bay 502 in the correctpositioning and ensures that the I/O port 308 is appropriatelypositioned, as described hereinbelow.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the support mechanisms 504 may further bearranged, shaped, and sized to hold the pump control module 300 in placewhen the pump control module 300 is placed within a bay 502 in someembodiments. In addition, the support mechanisms 504 may further bemolded to receive a securing device to secure the pump control module300 within the bay 502 (e.g., clips, bolts, screws, and/or the like thatare inserted into the apertures 307 in the base 306 and affixed to (orintegrated with) the support mechanisms 504). It should be understoodthat the particular arrangement and configuration of the supportmechanisms 504 and the bases 306 are merely illustrative, and othermeans of ensuring that the pump control module 300 is appropriatelyplaced and positioned within the bay 502 are possible without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure.

Still referring to FIG. 5, at least a portion of the plurality of bays502 may further include a bay I/O port 506. The bay I/O port 506 maycorrespond to the I/O port 308 of the pump control module 300 such thatthe bay I/O port 506 and the I/O port 308 of the pump control module 300can be matingly coupled together. For example, the bay I/O port 506 maybe shaped and/or sized to correspond to the body 310 of the I/O port 308such that the I/O port 308 is insertable within the bay I/O port 508(e.g., the bay I/O port 506 is generally the same or substantiallysimilar shape and slightly larger than the body 310 of the I/O port308). In embodiments, the bay I/O port 506 may contain variouscommunications components such that, when the bay I/O port 506 is matedto the I/O port 308 of the pump control module 300, communicationsbetween the pump control module 300 and other devices communicativelycoupled via the bay I/O port 506 can occur. For example, the bay I/Oport 506 may allow the pump control module 300 to send and/or receivetransmissions to/from the various other control modules and/or one ormore components of the assembly line grow pod 100 (FIG. 1) via the I/Oport 308.

The circuitry contained within each of the bay I/O ports 506 may becommunicatively coupled to various other components of the mastercontroller 160 such that signals, data, and/or the like can betransmitted to the master controller 160, other control modules, and/orone or more components of the assembly line grow pod 100 (FIG. 1) by thepump control module 300 when the pump control module 300 is inserted inone of the bays 502 of the master controller 160 and the bay I/O port506 and the I/O port 308 are coupled together.

Since at least some of the bays 502 are identical (or substantiallysimilar) in shape and size and contain similar components (e.g., floors503, support mechanisms 504, and bay I/O ports 506), the pump controlmodule 300 can be placed in any one of the bays 502 in order to operate.Certain bays 502 may remain vacant and ready to accept any controlmodule, as depicted in FIG. 7.

It should be understood that the various components of the mastercontroller 160 described herein allow the pump control module 300 (inaddition to other control modules) to be hot swappable (which may alsobe referred to herein as “removably insertable”) within the mastercontroller 160. That is, the pump control module 300 can be insertedinto a bay 502 of the master controller 160 at any time to function.Furthermore, removal of the pump control module 300 from a bay 502 willnot alter the functionality of other control modules inserted in otherbays 502. As such, a user may remove the pump control module 300 from abay 502 at any time without altering the functionality of the remaininginstalled control modules. Similarly, another control module may beremoved while the pump control module 300 remains in a bay 502 and thepump control module 300 will continue to function as described herein.This may be particularly useful in situations where it may be necessaryto remove a control module from a bay 502 without shutting down theentire assembly line grow pod 100 (FIG. 1) to do so.

It should also be understood that the master controller 160 need nothave all of the bays 502 filled with a control module to operate theassembly line grow pod 100. For example, as particularly shown in FIG.7, a portion of the bays 502 may be “filled” bays (e.g., containing acontrol module such as the pump control module 300), such as bays B1,B2, and B4. Likewise, a portion of the bays 502 may be “empty” bays(e.g., not containing a control module), such as bays B3 and B4. Evenwith empty bays B3 and B4, the master controller 160 may still be ableto provide all of the functionality for the assembly line grow pod 100(FIG. 1), as described herein. Empty bays B3 and B4 may be used toinsert future control modules, such as modules that control additionalcomponents that are added to the assembly line grow pod 100 (FIG. 1)and/or modules that increase the efficiency of operation of the assemblyline grow pod 100.

FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative method of providing apump control module for a modular control interface and providing one ormore pumps, generally designated 800, according to various embodiments.Referring also to FIGS. 1A-5, the method 800 includes providing themaster controller 160 at block 802. At block 804, a pump control module300 is aligned with an open bay 502 of the master controller 160, asdescribed in greater detail herein. Accordingly, the pump control module300 is inserted within the open bay 502 of the master controller 160 soas to be communicatively coupled with the master control module at block806, as described in greater detail herein.

At block 808, the one or more pumps 150 may be coupled to one or morefluid lines, including the one or more water lines 110 and the one ormore airflow lines 112. For example, the one or more water lines 110 orthe one or more airflow lines 112 within the assembly line grow pod 100may be coupled to the one or more pumps 150 in such a manner that thepump 150 receives fluid from a first particular location and ejects thefluid to a second particular location. More specifically, a pump 150 maybe coupled between the watering component 109 and a water deliverylocation. A water line 110 may be coupled from the watering component109 to the pump 150 (e.g., the fluid inlet port 364 of the pumpingmechanism 360) and another water line 110 may be coupled from the pump(e.g., the fluid outlet port 362 of the pumping mechanism 360) to thewater delivery location. The relative distances between a fluid source,the pump 150, and a fluid destination via the fluid lines (e.g., thewater lines 110 and the airflow lines 112) is not limited by thisdisclosure, and the pump 150 may be placed at any location that allowsthe pump 150 to effectively move fluid, as described herein.

At block 810, each of the installed pumps 150 within the assembly linegrow pod 100 may be communicatively coupled to the master controller160, particularly the pump control module 300 therein. As previouslydescribed herein, the pumps 150 (and/or a portion thereof, such as thehardware components within the housing 366) may be communicativelycoupled (either via a wired or wireless connection) to the pump controlmodule 300 (e.g., via the network interface hardware 434 of the pumpcontrol module 300). In some embodiments, the pumps 150 may be directlycoupled to the pump control module 300. In other embodiments, the pumps150 may be coupled to the pump control module 300 via a network (e.g.,communications network 350). In embodiments including a series of pumps150 (e.g., a plurality of pumps fluidly coupled in series to one anothervia fluid lines), each pump 150 may be communicatively coupled in seriesto the pump control module 300 such that a first pump 150 iscommunicatively coupled to the pump control module 300, a second pump150 is communicatively coupled to the first pump 150, and so on.

Once inserted, the pump control module 300 may complete one or moreprocesses to operate the assembly line grow pod 100 and/or a componentthereof, (e.g., operate the one or more pumps 150). FIG. 9 depicts aflow diagram of an illustrative method of operating an assembly linegrow pod 100 with a pump control module 300 in a master controller 160,generally designated 900, according to one or more embodiments. At block902, the pump control module 300 may receive one or more inputs. The oneor more inputs may generally contain information regarding fluid withinthe assembly line grow pod. For example, the pump control module 300 mayreceive a command from a user, data from one or more sensors, an inputfrom another control device, and/or the like. Illustrative examples ofone or more inputs include, but are not limited to, inputs that relateto commands to start or stop pumping of a particular pump 150 at aparticular time, inputs that relate to commands to carry out aparticular recipe as it pertains to pumping fluid, inputs that relate tocommands to change various pumping settings, sensor inputs from varioussensors regarding the status of the assembly line grow pod 100,components thereof, and/or plants growing within the grow pod, inputsrelating to commands from other control devices, and/or the like.

At block 904, the pump control module 300 determines the necessaryactions to be completed and which of the one or more pumps 150 are to beused based on the inputs that were received at block 902. The actionsmay generally be one or more instructions, signals (e.g., controlsignals), or the like for operation of the one or more pumps 150 (e.g.,for providing fluid, pressurizing fluid, and/or the like).

For example, if the input relates to a command to start placement ofseeds on a particular tray, the pump control module 300 may determinethat the actions include transmitting one or more signals to the pumps150 that supply water to watering devices located adjacent to a track sothat the watering devices have enough water to water the new seeds whenthe seeds pass the watering devices on the track after placement. Insome embodiments, such actions may also be completed by other controlmodules located within the master controller 160. For example, a seedercontrol module may be inserted in a bay 502 of the master controller160, and thus an action that corresponds to supplying water to awatering device after seed placement may optionally be controlled by theseeder control module instead of or in addition to the pump controlmodule 300.

At block 906, pump settings may be determined by the pump control module300. That is, the type of pump, the functionality of the pump, thelocation of the pump, location of adjacent pumps, various pumpparameters (e.g., capacity, volume, etc.) may be determined for thepurposes of determining how the pump will be used to supply fluid. Forexample, the type of pump (e.g., water pump, air pump, etc.) may bedetermined for the purposes of determining the type of fluid to bepumped. The location of the pump and/or the location of adjacent pumpsmay be determined for the purposes of determining where in the assemblyline grow pod fluid can be pumped. The various pump parameters may bedetermined for the purposes of determining how much fluid can be pumpedto a particular area in a particular amount of time, whether fluid flowcan be reversed by the pump, and/or the like. As a result of determiningpump settings, the pump control module 300 can determine how best toutilize a particular pump to complete various pumping tasks forsupplying and pressurizing fluid within the assembly line grow pod 100.

In addition to determining pump settings for the purposes of utilizingparticular pumps, the pump control module 300 may determine whetherother module(s) for controlling actions are needed at block 908. Such adetermination may be completed, for example, by recognizing certainmodule(s) that can complete a particular action that may work inconjunction with the pump control module 300 and/or the pumps tocomplete an action. For example, a valve control module and/or one ormore valves may be used in conjunction with the pump control module 300and/or one or more pumps to direct fluid, pressurize fluid, and/or thelike. In some embodiments, the determination at block 908 may alsoinclude determining whether particular other modules within the mastercontroller 160 are available. If no other module(s) are needed oravailable to control the actions, the process may continue at block 910.If other module(s) are needed or available to control the actions, theprocess may continue at block 912.

At block 910, the pump control module 300 may complete the determinedactions when no other module(s) are needed or available to complete theactions. For example, if the determined action is to open a particularvalve and no valve control module (or other control module that can alsocontrol valves) is inserted or available within the master controller160, the pump control module 300 may transmit a signal to cause thevalve to open.

At block 912, instructions are provided to the other module(s) forcarrying out the determined action(s). For example, the pump controlmodule 300 may transmit one or more signals to the other module(s),where the one or more signals correspond to the command. That is, if avalve needs to be operated (e.g., opened or closed) in conjunction withoperation of a particular pump, the pump control module 300 may transmitone or more signals to a valve control module such that the valvecontrol module directs operation of the valve.

In addition, the pump control module 300 may monitor one or moreportions of the assembly line grow pod 100 to ensure the action(s) arecompleted by the other modules at block 914. That is, the pump controlmodule 300 may receive signals and/or data from sensors, from portionsof the assembly line grow pod 100, from the master controller 160, fromthe other control modules, and/or the like that are indicative ofwhether the action(s) were completed. For example, if an action includedclosing a particular valve, the pump control module 300 may receivesensor data from sensors at the valve or downstream from the valve,where the sensor data indicates whether a flow of water from the valveexists. Data indicating that a water flow does exist may be used by thepump control module 300 to determine that the valve was not closed. Assuch, the pump control module may determine at block 916 whether theaction(s) were completed. If the actions were completed, the process mayend. If the actions were not completed, the process may proceed to block918.

At block 918, the pump control module 300 may determine additionalaction(s) to be completed. These additional actions may generally beactions to replace those that were not completed above. As such, theaction(s) may be the same or substantially similar (e.g., transmitting asignal to a valve corresponding to a command to close the valve) in someembodiments. However, the actions may also be different in otherembodiments (e.g., transmitting a signal to one or more other pumpsand/or one or more other valves). For example, new actions may bedetermined if only a portion of the actions were carried out. In anotherexample, new alternative actions may be determined if the failure tocarry out an action was due to a faulty component, thus necessitatingthe need for a redundant system to carry out particular actions.Accordingly, the pump control module 300 may determine again whetherthese new actions are to be completed by other control modules withinthe master controller 160. If so, the process may repeat at block 912.If not, the pump control module 300 may complete the actions at block922 (e.g., transmit instructions to one or more pumps and/or the like)and the process may end.

As illustrated above, various embodiments for providing a pump controlmodule for a modular control interface and for providing one or morepumps in an assembly line grow pod are disclosed. These embodimentscreate a particular pump control interface that provides signals toand/or receives signals from any one of the various components of theassembly line grow pod, including other control modules, andparticularly pumps within the assembly line grow pod.

While particular embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure havebeen illustrated and described herein, various other changes andmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. Moreover, although various aspects have been describedherein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. Accordingly,it is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changesand modifications that are within the scope of the embodiments shown anddescribed herein.

It should now be understood that embodiments disclosed herein includesystems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable mediums forproviding a pump control module for a modular control interface in anassembly line grow pod and for providing one or more pumps within anassembly line grow pod for the purposes of directing fluid flow,pressurizing fluid, and/or the like within the assembly line grow pod.It should also be understood that these embodiments are merely exemplaryand are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A method of providing a pump control module in anassembly line grow pod, the method comprising: providing a pump controlmodule within a bay of a plurality of bays of a master controller withinthe assembly line grow pod such that the pump control module iscommunicatively coupled to one or more pumps of the assembly line growpod via the master controller, wherein the pump control module isprogrammed to receive information regarding a unique fluid requirementfor each of a first location and a second location within the assemblyline grow pod, determine one or more control signals necessary toprovide or pressurize the fluid for delivery of a first amount of fluidto the first location within the assembly line grow pod and the secondamount of fluid to a second location within the assembly line grow podbased on the unique fluid requirement for each of the first location andthe second location, and provide one or more control signals to the oneor more pumps to operate in accordance with the one or more controlsignals.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: providing themaster controller within the assembly line grow pod.
 23. The method ofclaim 21, wherein providing the pump control module comprises: aligningthe pump control module with the bay of the master controller; andinserting the pump control module into the bay of the master controller.24. The method of claim 21, wherein providing the pump control modulecomprises fixing the pump control module within the first bay of theplurality of bays of the master controller such that the pump controlmodule is not removable from the master controller.
 25. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising: providing the one or more pumps within theassembly line grow pod; and fluidly coupling the one or more pumps toone or more fluid lines of the assembly line grow pod.
 26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein the one or more fluid lines comprise one or more waterlines.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the one or more fluid linescomprise one or more airflow lines.
 28. The method of claim 25, whereinfluidly coupling the one or more pumps to the one or more fluid linescomprises fluidly coupling the one or more pumps to a fluid source, thefirst location, and the second location via the one or more water lines.29. The method of claim 28, wherein the fluid source is a wateringcomponent that supplies one or more of water and nutrients to plantsthat are grown in the assembly line grow pod.
 30. A method of providinga pump control module in an assembly line grow pod, the methodcomprising: inserting a pump control module within a first bay of aplurality of bays of a master controller within the assembly line growpod; communicatively coupling the pump control module to one or morepumps of the assembly line grow pod via the master controller; andprogramming the pump control module to receive information regarding aunique fluid requirement for each of a first location and a secondlocation within the assembly line grow pod, determine one or morecontrol signals necessary to provide or pressurize the fluid fordelivery of a first amount of fluid to the first location within theassembly line grow pod and the second amount of fluid to a secondlocation within the assembly line grow pod based on the unique fluidrequirement for each of the first location and the second location, andprovide one or more control signals to the one or more pumps to operatein accordance with the one or more control signals.
 31. The method ofclaim 30, further comprising: providing the master controller within theassembly line grow pod.
 32. The method of claim 30, further comprising:fixing the pump control module within the first bay of the plurality ofbays of the master controller such that the pump control module is notremovable from the master controller.
 33. The method of claim 30,further comprising: providing the one or more pumps within the assemblyline grow pod; and fluidly coupling the one or more pumps to one or morefluid lines of the assembly line grow pod.
 34. The method of claim 33,wherein the one or more fluid lines comprise one or more water lines.35. The method of claim 33, wherein the one or more fluid lines compriseone or more airflow lines.
 36. The method of claim 33, wherein fluidlycoupling the one or more pumps to the one or more fluid lines comprisesfluidly coupling the one or more pumps to a fluid source, the firstlocation, and the second location via the one or more water lines.
 37. Amethod of operating an assembly line grow pod, the method comprising:receiving, by a master controller comprising a pump control module, aninput corresponding to one or more unique fluid requirements for each ofa first location and a second location within the assembly line growpod, determining, by the master controller, an action to be completedbased on the input, wherein the action comprises operation of one ormore pumps in the assembly line grow pod to supply a first amount offluid to the first location within the assembly line grow pod and asecond amount of fluid to the second location within the assembly linegrow pod in accordance with the one or more unique fluid requirementsfor each of the first location and the second location, andtransmitting, by the master controller, an instruction to the one ormore pumps, the instruction directing the operation of the one or morepumps to supply the first amount of fluid to the first location and thesecond amount of fluid to the second location.
 38. The method of claim37, further comprising: receiving a second input; determining a secondaction to be completed based on the second input, wherein the secondaction comprises providing one or more second instructions or signalsfor operation of one or more components of the assembly line grow pod;determining a second control module separate from the pump controlmodule is available or exists within the plurality of bays forcompleting the second action; and directing the second control module tocomplete the second action.
 39. The method of claim 37, furthercomprising: receiving a second input; determining a second action to becompleted based on the second input, wherein the second action comprisesproviding one or more second instructions or signals for operation ofone or more components of the assembly line grow pod; determining that asecond control module separate from the pump control module is notavailable within the plurality of bays for completing the second action;and completing the second action on behalf of the second control module.40. The method of claim 37, further comprising: determining one or morepump settings of the one or more pumps, wherein the one or more pumpsettings are used for determining the action to be completed.